Karl Stefanovic tribute as likely David Koch Sunrise replacement revealed

David Koch stunned viewers and the industry with news he was quitting Sunrise but it was a message from one of his oldest and fiercest rivals that touched him.

• TV shock: Koch quits Sunrise

Rival breakfast TV host Karl Stefanovic was among the many to congratulate Sunrise presenter David Koch following news he is stepping down from the show after 21 years.

“Thank you to everyone who has been so lovely,” Koch told viewers on Tuesday.

“Unbelievable messages, a wonderful, classy respectful one from Karl … Karl Stefanovic was so nice, so really adored that one. So many great messages.”

Koch, 67, shocked viewers with his announcement on air on Monday, revealing he was stepping down from the coveted TV position.

His last show is Friday, June 5.

Rivals no more … David Koch and Karl Stefanovic have been on opposite sides of the brekkie war for a long time. Picture: David Caird

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also among those to contact Koch, ringing the presenter when he was on the phone to Confidential.

“He just said, ‘it has been a remarkable career that you’ve been so influential in the media landscape, you tell it like it is, we’ve always enjoyed talking with you but we always know you will ask the questions that everyone wants answered,” Koch recounted of the call.

“That is what I have tried to do. I am not a media player. I have a big family, that has always been my first priority and hopefully I have been able to connect with people.”

Talk immediately turned to who would replace Koch on the flagship brekkie show, with Matt Shirvington almost a certainty to replace Koch on Sunrise.

Matt Shirvington with Seven colleagues, Mark Ferguson, Mel McLaughlin and Michael Usher.

Confidential can reveal Seven has been grooming former professional athlete Matt Shirvington for the role since he started with the network in 2021.

Shirvington, 44, has worked as a host and presenter across multiple shows since starting with Channel 7, among them The Morning Show and Sunrise.

He is also the sport presenter on 7NEWS and was part of the commentary team for Seven’s coverage of both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Shirvington, a father of three, has been the go-to fill in for Koch alongside co-host Natalie Barr.

The biggest sign that he would one day replace Koch came when the long time Sunrise host took an extended break in April.

Sunrise host David Koch (right) flipped his co-hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington the bird after a comment over his flat cap.

Making his announcement on air, Koch, 67, confirmed his replacement had already been appointed but did not mention their name.

After coming off air, Koch offered some words of advice for his replacement.

“Be yourself, be real because three and three quarter hours of live television every day, you cannot pretend to be somebody you are not because the viewers will see through you,” Koch told The Daily Telegraph.

“Breakfast TV strips you bare, you cannot bullshit. You have just got to be who you are because they will sniff it out in a flash.

The Morning Show hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies.

Matt Doran on Weekend Sunrise.

“Whether people love you or hate you, a lot of people might know you and think you are a d***head, that is fine, you’ve just got to expect that but a lot of our research here, even the people that dislike me always acknowledge that I’ve got a few brains and I know what I am talking about.

“That is the joy of viewers, they really let you know.”

While Shirvington is the anointed replacement, others that would have been considered for the job include Weekend Sunrise co-host Matt Doran, although Adele album interview may have affected his chances with the network’s executives.

Larry Emdur, Michael Usher and Mark Beretta were also names in the mix.